Brodzski sat slouched behind his large black desk, there were no papers, just a simple crystal ashtray and a small white bone china coffee cup and saucer. He turned the spoon slowly in his coffee and puffed sourly on his Gauloises cigarette as he peered at Marcillac, an ORSFE tropical forestry scientist, over the top of his thick horn rimmed glasses.
‘I agree with you, but it’s still a fact that the future of tropical rainforests is one of the most crucial environ-mental issues of today!’ said Marcillac melodramatically with a slightly amused expression as he noted Brodzski’s discomfort.
‘I think you’re exaggerating a little bit there Marcillac.’ Brodzski said sulkily looking to Ennis for support.
‘Not at all Monsieur Brodzski, the fact is uncontrolled exploitation has lead to severe ecological disturbances, this is really a great cause for concern in scientific circles,’ Marcillac replied, looking as though he was enjoying the rhetoric.
‘Yes, but I think your forgetting that the problem is also an economic and financial one. Tropical forests provide some of the most valuable timber in the world and they provide a living for a lot of people in those countries,’ said Brodzski smiling and feeling pleased with himself, as though he had won a point.
‘Perhaps you’re right there, but the problem remains, irresponsible and excessive exploitation is a great reason for concern.’
There was a silence, they knew what Marcillac had said was at least partially true, but on the other hand it was not the complete picture.
The object of the meeting with Marcillac and his assistant Perret was to discuss the inventory and forestry operation study that Papcon had requested from the ORSFE. The Organisation de Recherche Scientifique de la Forêt Equatoriale was an independent though government financed organisation. It had been founded in the 1930s to develop the use of the tropical forests in French Equatorial Africa, basically for industrial needs. Since then its role and geographical sphere of operations had broadened, with real scientific and conservationist objectives.
ORSFE’s specialists prided themselves on their independence and their renowned expertise in the field of tropical forestry and sylvaculture. Marcillac was fencing with Brodzski; it was a matter of professional pride to establish the specialised scientific nature of his organisation to a profit oriented industrial promoter who was obviously not used to independent attitudes from the usual grovelling subcontractors and suppliers.
‘Many international projects have been set up to protect the rainforest,’ said Axelmann in support of his President and looking to Ennis for his agreement. ‘Especially programmes to evaluate existing logging practises and find ways of controlling the use of tropical timber resources.’
‘That’s nice to hear,” Marcillac said smugly, ‘Nevertheless my friends, the conservation of the rainforest is a major challenge for modern scientific research and the development of forestry operations. As you know Mr Brodzski the density of the forest makes it very very difficult to operate without serious damage to the forest, and that’s our business.’
‘Well said Monsieur Marcillac,” groaned Brodzski in an effort to align his arguments with those of Marcillac. ‘I’m pleased to hear your concern. We have to work together, scientists and industrialists, to find solutions to these problems,’
‘Quite so, luckily for the forest tropical rain throughout most of the year in Kalimantan makes the forests inaccessible for long periods, if it didn’t there wouldn’t be anything left!’ Marcillac smiled, persisting with his lesson.
Brodzski with an air of exasperation lifted his hand in a gesture of mock despair.
‘Listen! Were not in the commercial logging business, we don’t always have to be looking on the negative side of things!’
‘But I’m being realistic and honest, whichever way you look at it, there’s an enormous amount of trees removed by the commercial timber loggers, whom you will have to work with, and don’t forget, Monsieur Brodzski, those trees are the dominants, they form the very skeleton of the forest,’ retorted Marcillac not backing down.
‘Come on now,’ Brodzski flashed, ‘you above all know that’s not exactly true, if we want to get into a scientific debate then let’s get the facts right. Of course I agree that any rainforest is very complex, trees of all sizes make up its framework and we all know that the canopy is a community of all of the plants above the ground.’
Brodzski knew his business and was not going to be put down in front of his team by Marcillac’s condescending popular science arguments.
‘OK, let’s cancel everything and we’ll all go back to the drawing board, or perhaps you’d prefer the Middle Ages!’ Brodzski replied stabbing a finger in the direction of Marcillac.
‘No, no, don’t misunderstand us, Marcillac is just getting the facts straight,’ said Perret speaking in for the first time obviously worried by the tone and trying to moderate the discussion.
Brodzski was now sulking openly. He flopped back in his armchair sniffing his watchstrap and with his other hand fidgeting with his empty coffee cup.
‘I’ve visited the forest myself many times over the years, even sleeping there. I know what the forest’s like. We’ll do all we can to ensure that the forest’s ecosystem won’t be disturbed,’ said Brodzski trying to placate Marcillac with a little agreement and moderation.
It was Marcillac’s turn to sulk.
Brodzski sniffed accepting the peace flag adding in a neutral tone so as to have the last word; ‘Of course I understand the problem, what you’re saying is we shall have to take precautions and we’ll certainly heed your advice.’
‘Antoine is right,’ said Perret. ‘Let’s get down to some practical business or we’ll be here all day.’
‘We won’t forget the orang-utans!’ said Axelmann with a mischievous laugh.
‘Let’s leave the Indonesians out of this,’ said Brodzski maliciously, ‘were here to talk about trees...dacrydium, agathis, araucaria.... If you’re interested that is?’ he said to a deflated Marcillac.
RESOURCES CONFIRMED